Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

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What is Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza?

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly called "bird flu," is a virus found among various species of birds. HPAI viruses can infect domestic poultry, which includes chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl.

The virus also infects a wide variety of other birds, including wild migratory waterfowl. HPAI has even been detected in various species of mammals - presumably after the animals come into contact with infected wild birds. For more information on current detections in domestic poultry, livestock, and wildlife across the U.S., please visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture's webpage.

HPAI in Michigan

There have been two confirmed human cases of HPAI in Michigan in 2024. For more information about cases of HPAI in animals in Oakland County, visit www.michigan.gov/birdflu. 

If avian influenza is suspected in a domestic flock, contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) immediately at 800-292-3939 (daytime) or 517-373-0440 (after hours).

Prevent HPAI

Protect yourself from HPAI through these steps:

  • If you see a sick or dead bird or other animals, avoid direct contact. Observe them only from a distance.
  • If you must have direct or close contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, or other animals, wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE). Wild birds can be infected with HPAI even if they don't look sick.
  • Do not touch surfaces or materials (e.g. animal litter or bedding material) contaminated with saliva, mucous, or animal feces from wild or domestic birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected HPAI infection.
  • Don't touch or consume raw milk or raw milk products.
  • Seasonal flu vaccination will not prevent infection with bird flu viruses but can reduce the risk of getting sick with human influenza viruses and thus the risk for seasonal and bird flu co-infection.

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